Rhinoplasty: Your Questions, Answered by the Surgeon

What rhinoplasty actually changes

The nose sits at the center of the face. Small changes to its shape alter the way the entire face reads. Rhinoplasty reshapes the bone and cartilage beneath the skin to improve proportion, profile, and symmetry. The goal is balance — a nose that fits your face, not a template applied to every patient.

Functional concerns are addressed at the same time. A deviated septum or enlarged turbinates can obstruct airflow. When those issues are present, they are corrected during the same operation, so breathing and appearance are both improved in a single session.

Every nose is different in skin thickness, cartilage strength, and underlying bone structure. That is why a detailed consultation matters. Your written surgical plan is set before surgery is ever scheduled.

How the operation works

General anesthesia is administered by a board-certified anesthesia provider in our AAAHC-accredited surgery center. You are fully asleep. A small incision is made in the columella — the strip of skin between the nostrils — and just inside each nostril. The skin is then lifted off the underlying framework so the surgeon can see and reshape the cartilage and bone directly.

Refinement is precise: judicious removal, repositioning with sutures, and placement of cartilage grafts where support or contour is needed. Once the framework is set, the skin is laid back into place and closed with fine suture. Internal splints are placed, then external tape and a protective splint. Surgery typically takes one and a half to three hours, and most patients return home the same day with a responsible adult.

Recovery: what to expect

Most patients return to desk work within seven to ten days. Swelling is most noticeable in the first week and decreases steadily after the external splint is removed. Bruising, when it occurs, usually fades within two weeks. Strenuous exercise and contact sports are restricted for a longer period — your surgical team sets those timelines in your written plan.

The nose continues to refine over months. Subtle changes in tip shape and skin contraction can continue for a year or more. Patience during this period is important. We follow your progress at scheduled post-operative visits and are available by phone or text at any point during healing.

Why the surgeon's experience matters

Rhinoplasty demands a deep understanding of nasal anatomy, skin behavior, and three-dimensional proportion. Dr. Cuzalina has authored peer-reviewed chapters on rhinoplasty, including work on revision rhinoplasty [3], rhinoplasty for the cleft lip and palate patient [2], challenging cleft rhinoplasty [1], and the cleft nasal deformity [0]. He also guest-edited a dedicated rhinoplasty issue for a major surgical journal [4]. That published record reflects decades of focused study and operative experience.

Dr. Chase Nelson, a cosmetic otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) fellowship-trained at this practice, brings specialized training in nasal structure and airway function. Together, the two surgeons cover the full spectrum of rhinoplasty — primary, revision, functional, and complex reconstructive cases.

At Tulsa Surgical Arts, rhinoplasty is a signature procedure. Our patient gallery shows real results from both surgeons, including profile, frontal, and three-quarter views. We encourage you to review those images and bring your questions to consultation.

Consultation and next steps

A rhinoplasty consultation is private and carries no obligation. We examine your nose, discuss your goals, review your medical history, and explain what surgery can and cannot accomplish for your specific anatomy. Imaging helps illustrate possible changes, but the honest conversation is the most important part.

Pricing is provided as a personal written quote at consultation — it reflects your specific plan, not a generic number. Patients travel from across Oklahoma, including communities like Broken Arrow, about five miles from the practice, as well as from out of state. Our private overnight guest suite is available for those traveling in. To schedule, call 918-392-7900, text us, or book online.

Individual results vary. This article is general education, not medical advice.